A story which has been playing out in the mainstream media recently involves multiple lawsuits and controversy with regards to autographed memorabilia, including doctored photos altered to include images of items that are completely fictional in the context of the original photos, with instruments and other material added to unrelated photos. [Read more…]
The Original Prop Blog 2009 Year in Review: News, Developments, and Trends in Collecting Original Movie Props and Memorabilia
As was the case in previous years (see 2007 Year in Review, 2008 Year in Review), what follows is an editorial review of my personal views with regards to the hobby, looking back at the top trends, developments, and news stories of 2009. As always, there were a lot of interesting developments and events, and quite a bit to review and consider. [Read more…]
Christie’s, CBS, Paramount Prevail in ‘Star Trek’ Memorabilia Auction Lawsuit
Two years after making the rounds as a lead story in the mainstream media, the Associated Press today reports that the Supreme Court of New York’s Appellate Division ruled that a Star Trek fan does not deserve $7 million dollars in damages as a result being displeased with one of the three items won at the “40 Years of Star Trek” auction held by Christie’s. [Read more…]
Court of Appeal in England Rules in Favor of Andrew Ainsworth in Lucasfilm’s Star Wars “Stormtrooper Helmet” Copyright Legal Battle
Today the High Court of Justice, Court of Appeal in England ruled in favor of Andrew Ainsworth of Shepperton Design Studios in his breach of copyright legal battle with Lucasfilm Limited over the sale of unlicensed replica Star Wars props and costumes. [Read more…]
Recent Court Rulings and Legal Actions Make Publishing Comments Via the Internet a Little Less Anonymous
There have been a number of recent developments involving lawsuits and legal motions filed intended to reveal the authors of comments published on the Internet anonymously. [Read more…]
Lucasfilm Strikes Back Against Andrew Ainsworth In Trademark, Copyright Dispute Over Movie Prop Stormtrooper Helmets
After a more than year long hiatus, today the Associated Press and other mainstream media outlets have renewed their coverage of the Lucasfilm legal dispute over the trademark and copyright of the Stormtrooper helmet and other helmets and armor produced for Star Wars: A New Hope. [Read more…]
Heritage Auction Galleries Lawsuit In The News; Claims of “Fake Bidder” N.P. Gresham, Auction Manipulation
Last month, there were a number of mainstream media outlets reporting on a lawsuit filed against Heritage Auction Galleries by a former employee who charges, among other things, that the auction house utilizes a fictitious bidder – “N.P. Gresham” – to participate in bidding in its own auction events. [Read more…]
“1931” Dracula One Sheet Poster Determined to be Fake, Pulled from Next Week’s Profiles in History Auction
On the heels of the vintage poster scandal reported on earlier this month (see Charges of Fraud Rock The Collectible Movie Poster Market and Hobby), there has been more controversy in the collectible poster memorabilia field as yet another scandal – and altogether different kind of fraud – has been uncovered by members of that community. [Read more…]